Telescopic bathtub



May 13, 1947. J. A. H. SIERS TELESCOPIC BATH TUB 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 9, 1945 INVENTOR. a/arwA/KSmws W/ ?2W ATTORNEX May 13, 1947. J. A. H. 'SIERS TELESCOPIC BATH TUB Filed Jan. 9, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I, fill I II 1' ill/I lI/I/I/ll/I/l/l.

INVENTOR. dow/vAfij/fks Patented May 13, 19 47 UNITED STATES PATENT-OFFICE 2,420,448 TELESCOPIC BATHTUB John A. H. Slers, Jersey City, N. J. Application January 9, 1945, Serial No. 572,010

This invention relates to an improved telescopic bath tub and has for its general object and purpose to provide a tub of this type having certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts which will enable the tub to be easily installed and operatedto open and closed position with ease and facility and, in the latter position, simulates an article of furniture so that, if desired, it may be arranged in the bedroom or other location remote from the usual bathroom fixtures.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sectional telescopic bath tub the several sections of which are preferably molded from a suitable plastic material of a selected color and co-operatively assembled for substantially noiseless relative sliding movement.

A further object resides in the provision of simple, easily operable means for positively securing the tub sections in their extended posi tions against relative movement which will also operate to establish an effective water-tight seal between adjacent tub sections to prevent leakage during use of the tub.

An additional object of the invention is to provide means for limiting the extension of the tub sections relative to each other so that they cannot he accidentally disconnected.

The invention further comprehends an inexpensively constructed bath tub as above characterized which will be strong and durable and,

when closed, provides a complete protection for the internal tub surfaces against dust accumulation and is of such dimensions that it may be attractively combined with a vanity table or other decorative article of furniture.

With the above and other subordinate objects in view the invention comprises the improved telescopic bath tub and the form, construction and arrangement of the several parts as will hereinafter be more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and subsequently incorporated in the subjoined claims.

In the drawings, wherein I have shown one simple and practical embodiment of the invention and in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure l is a perspective view, showing the tub i closed and a vanity table associated therewith as a useful and decorative adjunct.

Figure 2 is a side ele ation of the tub when extended in condition for use.

Figure 3 is a top plan view.

8 Claims. (Cl. 4 175) Figure 4- is a longitudinal section taken substantially on the line 44 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 5--5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a detail fragmentary vertical section on an enlarged scale, showing the means for producing a water-tight seal between the extended tub sections.

Figure 6A is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially onthe line AA of Figure 6.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary plan view showing one of the stop dogs for limiting the extension of the tub sections.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 8-8 of Figure 7, and

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 9-9 of Figure 8. I

Referring in further detail to the drawings, the illustrated example of my invention comprises the front tub section Ill, a rear section II, and two intermediate sections l2 and I3, respectively. Each of these tub sections is molded from plastic material and is of general semi-circular form in cross-section. The sections successively increase in width from the front to the rear and the opposite side walls of each section are formed adjacent to their upper edges with outwardly projecting longitudinal ribs, which are preferably of V-shaped cross-sectional form, as shown at M. These ribs on the respective tub sections have close interfitting sliding engagement with each other, as clearly shown in Figure 9 of the drawings.

The rear tub section II has a rear end wall I5 and is partially enclosed Within an ornamental hood l6 which may also be formed of plastic material and suitably secured within an opening in the building wall I1. Water supply pipes, provided with the usual valves, open through the tub wall I5 and suitable means l9 directs the water from the pipes l8 downwardly against the face of the wall l5, within the tub section II. The overflow pipe 20 is also connected with the wall l5 and a drain pipe 2|, joined to the overflow pipe, extends upwardly through the floor 22 and is connected to the bottom of the tub section II.

The forward end of the front tub section If! is also provided with an ornamental plastic hood 23. The vertical sides of this hood closel approach the floor 22 and upon the inner faces thereof the rubber-tired rollers 24 are mounted. Relatively narrow top walls 25 extend inwardly from each of said side walls and to the front wall of said hood spaced handle members 26 of suitable ornamental form are secured.

sition, the hood walls 25 and 21 are in abutting contact and the cover plate 28 is disposed in the same plane therewith between the walls 25. The front edge of the plate 28 is curved, as at 32, and

forms a continuation of the front wall of the 1 hood 23, as shown in Figure 1. Thus, the tub, when not in use, is completely closed and has an entirely flush top surface.

As shown in Figures 6 and 6A means is provided for securing the tub sections against rela tive movement in the extended position and for also establishing a water-tight seal between adjacent tub sections to prevent water leakage. As herein shown, the forward end of each tub section ll, l2 and i3 is formed with an inwardly opening semi-circular bead 33, the open side of which is opposed to the free portion of a compressible packin strip 34 cemented or otherwise fixed along one of its edges to the wall of the tub section. At each end of the head 33 a lug 35 is formed having a vertical guide sleeve 36 fixed therein. A flat flexible steel band 31 is housed within the head 33 and is adapted to be contracted against the compressible packing strip 34 by the bolts 38 on the ends of the band extending through the sleeves 36 and having the wing nuts 39 threaded on their upper ends. By adjusting the nuts it will be evident that the packing strip 34 will be uniformly compressed throughout its length against the outer face of the wall of the contiguous telescoping tub section to provide an effective seal preventing the escape of water from the tub.

Relative movement of the slidably engaged tub.

sections to their extended positions is limited by the simple stop device shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9. As shown, the upstanding edges of the outer tub sections at each side thereof are provided with vertical slots 40 in which the stop dogs 4! are pivoted at one of their ends, as at 42. The upper portion of the ribs I4 on the inner tub section are provided adjacent their'ends with vertical recesses 43, forming the stop shoulders 44 with which the free ends of said dogs are adapted to engage when said recesses register with the slots 40. In the inward telescoping movement of the tub sections thelatch dogs are forced upwardly into the slots All.

As shown in Figure l, a toilet table 45 and a. mirror 46 may be mounted upon the rear hood l6 so that the tub, when closed, will form an attractive article of furniture. The cover 28 provides a secondary table surface and completely closes the top of the closed tub to prevent the accumulation of dust therein. As shown in Figure 4, a non-slip pad 41 may be suitably attached to the base of the front tub section ID. The plas tic tub sections may be produced in various colors to harmonize with the other appointments of the room.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the above enumerated objects of the invention are achieved in an organization of simtended, the nuts 39 may be easily and quickly adjusted to contract the bands 3'! and lock the tub sections against relative movement and in watertight connection with each other. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention I have shown four of the tub sections but it is apparent that a greater number of said sections may be employed or said sections made of increased length, if a longer tub is desired.

Accordingly, while I have herein disclosed one desirable construction, it is nevertheless to be understood that the essential features of the invention are susceptible of embodiment in various other structural forms. Therefore, I reserve the privilege of resorting to all such legitimate changes in the form, construction and relative arrangement of the several parts, as may fairly be considered to be within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A telescopic bath tub comprising a plurality of tub sections of similar cross-sectional form relatively slidable to open and closed position, coacting means on adjacent sections preventing relative angular displacement thereof with respect to the path of sliding movement and manually adjustable means carried by certain of said tub sections for locking the adjacent slidably engaged sections in extended position and establishing water-tight joints therebetween.

2. The telescopic bath tub defined in claim 1 in which each of said certain tub sections has a hollow bead formed on its front end and having an open side opposed to the wall of an adjacent tub section, and said manually adjustable means includes a compressible sealing strip and a contractible flexible band within said bead in permanent contact with the sealing strip.

3. The telescopic bath tub defined in claim 1 in which the side walls of said tub sections are formed with slidably engaged ribs and the ribs on adjacent telescoping sections are provided with co-acting means limiting relative movement of said sections to their extended positions.

4. The telescopic bath tub defined in claim 1 in which the side walls of said tub sections are formed adjacent to their upper edges with interfitting longitudinally extending rib of V-shaped form in cross-section, together with means below said ribs for establishing a water-tight seal between adjacent tub sections.

5. A telescopic bath tub comprising a plurality of tub sections of similar cross sectional form relatively slidable to open and closed position, the rear end section and each intermediate section having means at its forward end to establish a water tight seal between adjacent sections and lock said sections in extended relation, each of said means comprising a compressible sealing strip carried by the tub section in contact with the outer surface of an adjacent section, and a manually adjustable member directly engaged with said sealing strip and operable to uniformly compress the same against the wall of the adjacent tub section and lock said adjacent sections against relative sliding movement.

6. The telescopic bath tub as defined in claim 5, in which said manually adjustable member is a contractible metal band in permanent contact with the sealing strip throughout its length.

7. The telescopic bath tub defined in claim 5, in which said manually adjustabl member is a flexible element contacting the sealing strip throughout its length, together with guides fixed to the tub section, rods movable through said guides connected to opposite ends of said element, and manually operable means connected to said rods to move the latter through said guides and contract said flexible member against the sealing strip.

8. A telescopic bath tub comprising a plurality of telescopically slidable tub'section's including a rear fixed section and a front end section, an ornamental hood inclosing the rear portion of said rear tub section, an ornamental hood inclosing the front portion of said front tub section, said hoods having top walls disposed in a common horizontal plane whenv the tub sections are telescoped to substantially complete the cover and conceal the said tub sections, said top wall of 1d the hood on the front tub section having a recess therein, and a. cover plate hinged to the top wall of the rear hood and carrying a soap receptacle REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PA'IFEN'IS Number Name Date 237,196 Martinez et a1. Feb. 1;1881 351,103. French Oct. 19, 1886 F 1,296,742 Bevington Mar. 11, 1919 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date Great Britain June 30, 1921 

